Lamp shade and method of making the same

ABSTRACT

A lamp shade frame wherein relatively transverse thermoplastic members define windows therebetween adapted to receive lights therein, and the members have upstanding ribs on the inside thereof defining seating ledges for the lights that may be deformed under heat and pressure to overlie the edges of the lights and lock the lights in the frame.

mer ted States Patent [1 1 [111 3,757,110

Soboleski 1 Sept. 4, 1973 [54] LAMP SHADE AND METHOD OF MAKING 2,829,2454/1958 Levings 240/108 R THE ME 1,769,000 7/1930 Smith 3,420,728 1/1969Haverstock 161/6 [75] Inventor: Thadeus J. Soboleski, Clintonville,

Conn. I Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Asslgnee? Pyramld Hashes,North Haven, Assistant ExaminerRussell E. Adams, .lr.

Conn- Attorney-Robert H. Montgomery et a1.

[22] Filed: Oct. 12, 1972 [21] Appl. No.1 296,918 57 ABSTRACT A lampshade frame wherein relatively transverse thermoplastic members definewindows therebetween adapted to receive lights therein, and the members[58] Field of Search 240/108 R, 108 A;

have upstanding ribs on the inside thereof defining seating ledges forthe lights that may be deformed under heat and pressure to overlie theedges of the [56] References Cited lights and lock the lights in theframe.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,794,116 5/1957 Morin 240/108 R 4 Claims, 5Drawing Figures Z7 Z/Z l //x\/ 5 /z LAMP SHADE AND METHOD OF MAKING THESAME This invention relates to lamps, and more particularly relates toshades therefor and a method of making the same.

Many constructions have been proposed for lamp or light shades of thetype having a plurality of structural grid elements defining windowswith light transmissive elements either clear or colored supportedtherein.

In most instances, such frames are made with tab-like members which foldover to secure a pane or light in the window opening. This type ofconstruction only loosely holds the glass therein and in some cases anonuniform appearance of the lights in the various windows is apparentto the viewer. Other techniques of holding the glass in the panes,including flexible inserts, wedges, etc. have also been used.

However, these previously known techniques have been rathertime-consuming in assembly, thus increasing the costs of this type ofshade.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a new and improved lampshade and method of making the same which allows the framework to beinexpensively formed and a plurality of windows positioned in the frameand then simultaneously locked or sealed therein with a tight fit.

Briefly stated, the invention in one form thereof comprises a lamp shadehaving longitudinal and lateral structural members defining a pluralityof lights or windows. On the inside of one of the lateral orlongitudinal members are defined spacing ribs or elements to locate alight in a window while on the other of the members is formed adeformable rib. The deformable rib, as well as the grid members, ispreferably made of a thermoplastic material so that when the lights areinserted into the windows, and pressure and heat applied on theupstanding rib, the rib may be changed to a semiplastic state, deformedand forced to overlie the edges of adjacent lights.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved lamp shadeof the type described.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedmethod for making a lamp shade of the type described.

Another object of this invention is to make a new and improved lampshade of the type described wherein the lights may be easily assembledinto the windows and securely mounted therein.

The features of the invention which are believed to be novel areparticularly set forth and distinctly claimed in the concluding portionof this specification. However, the invention both as to itsorganization and operation, together with further objects and advantagesthereof may best be appreciated by reference to the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a lamp shade embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of the portion of the shade of FIG. I seen from theinside thereof;

FIG. 3 is a view seen in the plane of lines 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view seen in the plane of lines 4-4 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of another lamp shade which may embodythe invention.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a frame 10 shown in FIG. 1' asbeing of generally hemispherical form. Frame 10 is defined by aplurality of lateral members l1, l2 and 13 spaced between an uppercircular member 14 and a bottom terminating member 15. Member 14 definesan opening for reception of a lamp within the frame. The frame furthercomprises a plurality of longitudinal members 16 extending between theupper member 14 and the lower member 15. In the embodiment shown, all ofthe longitudinal members 16 are equi-angularly spaced with respect tothe center of member 14.

The relatively transverse longitudinal and lateral members definetherebetween four series of annularly extending windows l8, 19, 20 and21 which, as exemplified, are generally of trapezoidal shape.

As shown in FIG. 3, both the longitudinal and lateral members have outerarcuate surfaces.

The windows 18, 19, 20 and 21 are adapted to receive therein lights orpanes 22, 23, 24 and 25, respectively, all of substantially trapezoidalshape but of different sizes in each series. For example, all of windows18 will receive lights 22 of one size. All of windows 19 will receivelights 23 of another size, etc.

The longitudinal members 16 have ribs 26, FIG. 2, on the inside thereofwhich are preferably continuous along the length thereof and extend adimension greater than the thickness of the lights as indicated by therelative dimensioning of lights 25 and ribs 26 in FIG. 3. The ribs 26are of lesser dimension than members 16 so as to provide seating ledges16a and 16b, FIGS. 3 and 4, for adjacent lights on either side of ribs16. Formed on the lateral members 11 15 between the longitudinal member16 are inwardly extending positioning ribs 27. The positioning ribs 27are of lesser thickness than the lateral members so as to provide seats28a and 28b on either side of the lateral members for the edges of thelights.

The shade is cast or molded as by injection molding in one integralpiece of a thermoplastic material. The frame may be turned upside downor on its side as exemplified in FIG. 2 and then a series of lights 22,23 and 24 placed therein in sever-a1 columns. Then a tool T which isheated to above the plastic temperature of the material is moved alongthe ribs 26 with some pressure exerted thereon as exemplified by thetool 30 in FIG. 4. The heat of the tool will change the ribs 26 to asemiplastic or plastic state and the pressure exerted thereon will forcethe semi-plastic material into ears 31 and 32 overlying the edgeslaterally of adjacent lights as exemplified in FIG. 4. The lights areprevented from any movement in the longitudinal direction by thepositioning ribs 27 and are permanently secured in the windows by theoverhanging ears 31 and 32 of the thermoplastic ribs 26 which will againbecome rigid when the heat and pressure of tool 30 is removed. The framemay be injected in any suitable thermoplastic including polypropylene,polycarbonate, polystyrene, MBS, etc. Generally, it is preferred to usea material which becomes semi-plastic and deformable under a smallpressure in the range of 410 450 F.

The lights may be of glass cut to size and shape or may be of plasticmaterial, as the case may be, and the manufacturer desires. As usedherein, the term lights includes mirrors placed in the windows.

The outer surfaces of the shade 10 may be sprayed with a metallic paintor other metalizing process prior to insertion of the lights to give theappearance of any type of metal frame such as copper, bronze, cast iron,steel, etc. If desired, a shade may be made of two generallyhemispherical sections of the type shown in FIG. 1 to define a completeglobe. Suitable supporting or attachment members generally extendingfrom the lamp fixture may be inserted within the shade through theopening defined by member 14 to support the shade in the desired spacedrelation with respect to the lamp.

FIG. exemplifies another form of shade which may be constructed inaccordance with the invention. This shade 34 generally comprises fourside frames 35 and an upper frame 36 all integrally formed to define aplurality of rectangular windows 37 receiving rectangular lights all ofthe same size. Y

The inside of the frame members defining each window are constructed inthe same manner as described for the shade of FIG. 1, that is, withpositioning ribs on opposite sides of a window and deformable ribs onthe other two opposite sides.

In the device of FIG. 5 it will be seen that shade 34 may be laid on oneof its sides 35, nine lights positioned in one side and then all ninelights locked therein with four strokes of a tool 30. The upper frame 36of shade 34 may have an opening 38 defined therein by an annular member39 to receive a lamp therethrough.

The invention may also be utilized and embodied in shades having otherwindow configurations; for example, diamond, hexagonal, etc. Shades ofvarious geometric configuration such as pyramidal, hexagonal, octagonal,or unsymmetrical sides may also be made in accordance with theinvention.

It may thus be seen that the objects of the invention set forth as wellas those made apparent from the preceding description are efficientlyattained. While preferred embodiments of the invention have been setforth for purposes of disclosure further embodiments of the invention aswell as modifications to the disclosed embodiments which do not departfrom the spirit and scope of the invention may occur to others skilledin the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover allembodiments and modifications of the invention which do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

I. A method of making a lamp shade of the type having relativelytransverse members defining windows adapted to receive lamps therein,comprising the steps of providing a frame of thermoplastic materialhaving first members and second members transverse to each other anddefining windows therebetween with positioning ledges defined byupstanding ribs on one of said transverse members, said ribs upstandinga dimension greater than the thickness of lights to be placed in saidwindows, placing lights in windows on either side of one of said ribs,and deforming said one of said ribs under heat and pressure to causesaid rib to overlie lights in windows on either side thereof.

2. A method of making a lamp shade of the type having relativelytransverse members defining windows adapted to receive lamps therein,comprising the steps of providing a frame of thermoplastic materialhaving first members and second members transverse to each other anddefining windows therebetween with positioning ledges on the insides ofone of said transverse members and positioning ledges defined byupstanding ribs on the other of said transverse members, said ribsupstanding a dimension greater than the thickness of lights to be placedin said windows, placing lights in windows on either side of one of saidribs, and deforming said one of said ribs under heat and pressure tocause said rib to overlie lights in windows on either side thereof.

3. A lamp shade of the type having a plurality of first and secondspaced apart relative transverse members of thermoplastic materialdefining a frame with a plurality of windows between said members, atleast one of said plurality of members having an upstanding rib thereonalong the length thereof defining light seating ledges on either side ofsaid rib, lights positioned in said windows on said ledges, said ribsbeing deformed under heat and pressure to overlielights on said ledgesand hold said lights between said ledges and said overlying rib.

4. The shade of claim 3 wherein the other plurality of members haveupstanding ribs thereon defining spacers between said lights and seatingledges therefor. I. t 18 =8

1. A method of making a lamp shade of the type having relativelytransverse members defining windows adapted to receive lamps therein,comprising the steps of providing a frame of thermoplastic materialhaving first members and second members transverse to each other anddefining windows therebetween with positioning ledges defined byupstanding ribs on one of said transverse members, said ribs upstandinga dimension greater than the thickness of lights to be placed in saidwindows, placing lights in windows on either side of one of said ribs,and deforming said one of said ribs under heat and pressure to causesaid rib to overlie lights in windows on either side thereof.
 2. Amethod of making a lamp shade of the type having relatively transversemembers defining windows adapted to receive lamps therein, comprisingthe steps of providing a frame of thermoplastic material having firstmembers and second members transverse to each other and defining windowstherebetween with positioning ledges on the insides of one of saidtransverse members and positioning ledges defined by upstanding ribs onthe other of said transverse members, said ribs upstanding a dimensiongreater than the thickness of lights to be placed in said windows,placing lights in windows on either side of one of said ribs, anddeforming said one of said ribs under heat and pressure to cause saidrib to overlie lights in windows on either side thereof.
 3. A lamp shadeof the type having a plurality of first and second spaced apart relativetransverse members of thermoplastic material defining a frame with aplurality of windows between said members, at least one of saidplurality of members having an upstanding rib thereon along the lengththereof defining light seating ledges on either side of said rib, lightspositioned in said windows on said ledges, said ribs being deformedunder heat and pressure to overlie lights on said ledges and hold saidlights between said ledges and said overlying rib.
 4. The shade of claim3 wherein the other plurality of members have upstanding ribs thereondefining spacers between said lights and seating ledges therefor.